U.S. Government Processes Refunds for Trump-Era Tariffs

Federal agencies have begun processing refunds for tariffs that were struck down by the Supreme Court. An estimated 330,000 importers paid more than $166 billion in fees imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act during the Trump administration.

Many small importers had expected the refunds to face years of bureaucratic delays. The process started in late April after the federal government announced that refunds would be issued despite earlier statements from the president. Businesses must work with the original customs broker, known as the importer of record, to file for the refund.

The government requires that the same broker who originally handled the paperwork and collected the fees submit the claim electronically through the Ace Secure Data Portal. The initial phase covers shipments that were liquidated, or finalized, within the past 80 days.

Some unliquidated shipments are also being processed. Importers or their brokers must upload a Consolidated Administration and Processing for Entries Declaration digital file listing eligible entries.

A vice-president at Michigan-based Supply Chain Solutions said her company has been filing refund claims for clients over the past few weeks. The executive, Melissa Alvarado Quisenberry, described the process as more organized than many expected despite some reported glitches.

Businesses should expect to wait between 60 and 90 days to receive funds. Service providers charge fees for handling the claims. Some businesses that took tax deductions for the tariff payments in 2025 will need to account for the refunds as taxable income in 2026.

Switching customs brokers is difficult if a business is dissatisfied with the original firm. The original broker must file the claim, although another broker can be used in a limited consulting capacity.

and Refunds FedEx, UPS and DHL have pledged to return tariff refunds to their customers. Small business owners who use these shipping providers should monitor how the companies fulfill those pledges. Several large retailers including Amazon, Apple and Costco have not stated whether they will pass along any refunds.

The refund process is now operational for affected importers who are willing to navigate the required paperwork.